U.S. patent number 8,457,078 [Application Number 12/581,748] was granted by the patent office on 2013-06-04 for simultaneous use of multiple phone numbers in mobile device by sharing hardware.
This patent grant is currently assigned to VIA Technologies, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Jing Su, Hong-Kui Yang. Invention is credited to Jing Su, Hong-Kui Yang.
United States Patent |
8,457,078 |
Yang , et al. |
June 4, 2013 |
Simultaneous use of multiple phone numbers in mobile device by
sharing hardware
Abstract
Determining and simultaneously using a circuit for a mobile
device couple to a base station, the circuit may comprise an
identification signal detector for receiving a first identification
signal corresponding to a first module and a second identification
signal corresponding to a second module in the mobile device. The
circuit may comprise a receiver for receiving a plurality of
signals from the base station; said plurality of signals is
configured to set up communication between the mobile device and
the base station. The circuit may comprise a calculator for
calculating a plurality of parameters in response to the first
identification signal, second identification signal and said
plurality of signals received from said base station. The circuit
may also comprise a processor for attaching the first and second
module to the base station simultaneously in response to a
plurality of slots by time multiplexing and the plurality of
parameters.
Inventors: |
Yang; Hong-Kui (San Diego,
CA), Su; Jing (San Diego, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yang; Hong-Kui
Su; Jing |
San Diego
San Diego |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
VIA Technologies, Inc. (New
Taipei, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
43879229 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/581,748 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20110090874 A1 |
Apr 21, 2011 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/335;
370/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B
1/707 (20130101); H04W 72/0446 (20130101); H04B
2201/7071 (20130101); H04W 28/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04B
7/216 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;370/335 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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101203005 |
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Jun 2008 |
|
CN |
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101222715 |
|
Jul 2008 |
|
CN |
|
Primary Examiner: Li; Guang
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Huffman; Richard K. Huffman; James
W.
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of a mobile device for wirelessly communicating with a
base station, comprising: receiving a first parameter set of a
first subscriber and a second parameter set of a second subscriber;
receiving a plurality of signals from the base station, wherein
said plurality of signals is configured to indicate communication
parameters between the mobile device and the base station, and
wherein said plurality of signals indicates a common communication
parameter among the first subscriber and the second subscriber
selected from the following: a system time of the base station; a
pilot PseudoNoise (PN) offset and a long code state; calculating a
plurality of communication parameters for the first parameter set
and the second parameter set according to the plurality of signals;
and communicating with the base station in accordance with the
plurality of communication parameters for representing the first
subscriber and the second subscriber, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters indicates a wireless communication
resource in a time multiplexing fashion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parameter set is
converted by a first subscriber number of the first subscriber,
wherein the second parameter set is converted by a second
subscriber number of the second subscriber.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication
parameters comprises a paging channel number and a Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) signaling channel number.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication
parameters is calculated in response to a diversity of the wireless
communication resource in the time multiplexing fashion is larger
than a threshold for reducing collision rate of the wireless
communication resource.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the diversity is related to any
items of the following: paging channel numbers corresponding to the
first subscriber and the second subscriber; and Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) signaling channel numbers corresponding to
the first subscriber and the second subscriber.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication
parameters is calculated in response to a diversity of the wireless
communication resource in the time multiplexing fashion is less a
threshold for reducing power consumption of the mobile device.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a wake-up
period of the mobile device according to the plurality of
communication parameters, wherein the wake-up period is related to
a diversity of the wireless communication resource in the time
multiplexing fashion.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising keeping the mobile
device awake during the wake-up period in response to the wake-up
period is shorter than a threshold.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising when the mobile device
is awake and communicating with the base station through the first
parameter set, the second parameter set is idle, and when the
mobile device finishes communicating with the base station through
first parameter set, the mobile device receives a resynchronization
interrupt in response to the second parameter set.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the resynchronization interrupt
is configured to reset a time counter and a code generator.
11. An apparatus for wirelessly communicating with a base station,
comprising: a parameter receiver for receiving a first parameter
set of a first subscriber and a second parameter set of a second
subscriber; a signal receiver for receiving a plurality of signals
from the base station, wherein said plurality of signals is
configured to indicate communication parameters between the
apparatus and the base station, wherein said plurality of signals
indicates a common communication parameter among the first
subscriber and the second subscriber selected from the following: a
system time of the base station; a pilot PseudoNoise (PN) offset
and a long code state; a calculator for calculating a plurality of
communication parameters for the first parameter set and the second
parameter set according to the plurality of signals; and a
communication module for communicating with the base station in
accordance with the plurality of communication parameters for
representing the first subscriber and the second subscriber,
wherein the plurality of communication parameters indicates a
wireless communication resource in a time multiplexing fashion.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first parameter set is
converted by a first subscriber number of the first subscriber, and
wherein the second parameter set is converted by a second
subscriber number of the second subscriber.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters comprises a paging channel number and a
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signaling channel number.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters is calculated in response to a diversity
of the wireless communication resource in the time multiplexing
fashion is larger than a threshold for reducing collision rate of
the wireless communication resource.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the diversity is related to
any items of the following: paging channel numbers corresponding to
the first subscriber and the second subscriber; and Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) signaling channel numbers corresponding to
the first subscriber and the second subscriber.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters is calculated in response to the diversity
of the wireless communication resource in the time multiplexing
fashion is less a threshold for reducing power consumption of the
apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising calculating a
wake-up period of the apparatus according to the plurality of
communication parameters, wherein the wake-up period is related to
a diversity of the wireless communication resource in the time
multiplexing fashion.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising keeping the
apparatus awake during the wake-up period in response to the
wake-up period is shorter than a threshold.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising when the
apparatus is awake and communicating with the base station through
the first parameter set, the second parameter set is idle, and when
the apparatus finishes communicating with the base station through
the first parameter set, the apparatus receives a resynchronization
interrupt in response to the second parameter set.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the resynchronization interrupt
is configured to reset a time and a code generator.
21. A system for operating in CDMA mode, the system comprising: a
base station for receiving a first parameter set and a second
parameter set; a mobile device for wirelessly communicating with
the base station, further comprising: a parameter receiver for
receiving the first parameter set of a first subscriber and a
second parameter set of a second subscriber; a signal receiver for
receiving a plurality of signals from the base station, wherein
said plurality of signals is configured to indicate communication
parameters between the mobile device and the base stations, and
wherein said plurality of signals indicates a common communication
parameter among the first subscriber and the second subscriber
selected from the following: a system time of the base station; a
pilot PseudoNoise (PN) offset and a long code state; a calculator
for calculating a plurality of communication parameters for the
first parameter set and the second parameter set according to the
plurality of signals; and a communication module for communicating
with the base station in accordance with the plurality of
communication parameters for representing the first subscriber and
the second subscriber, wherein the plurality of communication
parameters indicates a wireless communication resource in a time
multiplexing fashion.
22. A method of a mobile device for wirelessly communicating with a
base station, comprising: receiving a first parameter set of a
first subscriber and a second parameter set of a second subscriber;
receiving a plurality of signals from the base station, wherein
said plurality of signals is configured to indicate communication
parameters between the mobile device and the base station; and
wherein said plurality of signals indicates a common communication
parameter among the first subscriber and the second subscriber
selected from the following: a system time of the base station; a
pilot PseudoNoise (PN) offset and a long code state; calculating a
plurality of communication parameters for the first parameter set
and the second parameter set according to the plurality of signals;
and communicating with the base station in accordance with the
plurality of communication parameters for representing the first
subscriber and the second subscriber, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters indicates a wireless communication
resource in a time multiplexing fashion; wherein the plurality of
communication parameters is calculated in response to a diversity
of the wireless communication resource in the time multiplexing
fashion is less a threshold for reducing power consumption of the
mobile device.
Description
This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/117,960, filed Nov. 26, 2008, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully
and completely set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of cellular networks,
and more particularly to a system and method for simultaneous use
of multiple cards in a mobile device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In recent years, the use of mobile devices and, in particular,
cellular telephones has proliferated. In fact, some users maintain
multiple cellular accounts and/or cellular phone numbers. For
example, some cellular users may have a first account or number for
personal phone calls and a second account or number for business
phone calls. Alternatively, a user may have an account for a first
region and a separate account for another region. In these cases,
the user may have to carry multiple cell phones (e.g., one for each
account), switch out cards (e.g., SIM cards) whenever a different
account should be used, or use phones which allow multiple cards to
be used in the same phone in order to use the multiple accounts.
However, such phones do not allow the cards to be used
simultaneously. Correspondingly, improvements in mobile
communication and devices are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments are presented of a system and method for
simultaneously using multiple cards in a mobile device. More
specifically, the mobile device may include at least a first card
and a second card.
One aspect of the invention is a method of a mobile device for
wirelessly communicating with a base station, comprising receiving
a first parameter set of a first subscriber and a second parameter
set of a second subscriber; receiving a plurality of signals from
the base station, wherein said plurality of signal is configured to
indicate communication parameters between the mobile device and the
base station; calculating a plurality of communication parameters
for the first parameter set and the second parameter set according
to the plurality of signals; and communicating with the base
station in accordance with the plurality of communication
parameters for representing the first subscriber and the second
subscriber, wherein the plurality of communication parameters
indicates wireless communication resource in a time multiplexing
fashion.
One aspect of the invention is a circuit for a mobile device couple
to a base station, the circuit comprising an identification signal
detector for receiving a first identification signal corresponding
to a first module and a second identification signal corresponding
to a second module in the mobile device; a receiver for receiving a
plurality of signals from the base station, said plurality of
signals is configured to set up communication between the mobile
device and the base station; a calculator for calculating a
plurality of parameters in response to the first identification
signal, second identification signal and said plurality of signals
received from said base station; and a processor for attaching the
first and second module to the base station simultaneously in
response to a plurality of slots by time multiplexing and the
plurality of parameters, wherein said plurality of parameters are
configured to determine whether the second module is able to attach
to the base station.
Another aspect of the invention is a system for operating in CDMA
mode, the system comprising a base station for receiving a first
parameter set and a second parameter set and a mobile device for
wirelessly communicating with the base station.
the mobile device further comprising a parameter receiver for
receiving the first parameter set of the first subscriber and a
second parameter set of a second subscriber; a signal receiver for
receiving a plurality of signals from the base station, wherein
said plurality of signal is configured to indicate communication
parameters between the mobile device and the base station; a
calculator for calculating a plurality of communication parameters
for the first parameter set and the second parameter set according
to the plurality of signals; and a communication module for
communicating with the base station in accordance with the
plurality of communication parameters for representing the first
subscriber and the second subscriber, wherein the plurality of
communication parameters indicates wireless communication resource
in a time multiplexing fashion.
First Application--Mobile Station
The method may determine a first international mobile subscriber
identity (IMSI). The first IMSI may correspond to a first card or
phone number in a mobile device. For example, the method may
determine a telephone number associated with the first card and
correspondingly determine the first IMSI based on the telephone
number.
Similarly, the method may determine a second IMSI for a second card
or phone number in the mobile device. For example, the second IMSI
may be derived or determined from a telephone number associated
with the second card (or the second account of the mobile
device).
The method may determine if the first card and the second card are
simultaneously usable by a single transmitter/receiver of the
mobile device. In one embodiment, the determination may be
performed by using the first IMSI and the second IMSI. For example,
one or more parameters (e.g., communication parameters) may be
determined for each of the first and second cards (e.g., based on
the first IMSI and the second IMSI). The method may then determine
if the parameters for the first card are compatible (or
alternatively, conflict) with the parameters of the second card. If
the parameters are compatible, then the first card and the second
card may be simultaneously usable. The method may then accordingly
configure the mobile device to simultaneously use both cards.
In one embodiment, the determination may be based on minimization
of power consumption. For example, the determination may be based
on whether the two cards can be used during the same time slot so
that the mobile device may not use additional power to perform
communication with both cards. More specifically, the mobile device
may not have to time multiplex use of the first and second cards
with the appropriate sets of parameters. Alternatively, the
determination may be based on minimization of collisions. For
example, instead of attempting to use both cards during the same
time slot, the method may determine if the two sets of parameters
result in the first card and second card being used in time slots a
threshold amount away from each other, thus ensuring no collisions,
but consuming more power. Thus, in this example, the method may
include determining a first time slot of the first card based on
the first IMSI, determining a second time slot of the second card
based on the second IMSI, and determining if the first time slot
and the second time slot are within a threshold amount of time.
As one specific example, a paging slot and channel number may be
determined for each of the cards, e.g., based on the first and
second IMSIs. If the paging slot of the first card and the paging
slot of the second card are the same or adjacent and if the first
channel number of the first card and the channel number of the
second card are different, the method may determine that the
parameters conflict, and correspondingly, the first and second
cards are not simultaneously usable by the mobile device.
An indication or message may be provided, e.g., on a display of the
mobile device, which indicates whether the first card and the
second card are simultaneously usable by the mobile device.
If the first card and the second card are simultaneously usable by
the mobile device, the method may include configuring the mobile
device to simultaneously use both the first card and the second
card. For example, operating the mobile device simultaneously may
be performed by time multiplexing use of the first card and use of
the second card using the single transmitter/receiver of the mobile
device.
The method may be applied to one or more additional cards. For
example, the one or more additional IMSIs may be determined for one
or more additional cards. Similar to above, the method may
determine if the additional cards are usable simultaneously by the
mobile device (e.g., using a single or common transmitter/receiver)
with the first and second cards, e.g., by determining corresponding
sets of parameters for the additional cards. If these parameters
are compatible, the indication may further indicate that the one or
more additional cards are simultaneously usable by the mobile
device.
The method described above may be implemented as a computer
program, e.g., as program instructions stored on a memory medium
(e.g., of the mobile device, or a different computer system, as
desired). The program instructions may be executable to implement
the method described above. Similarly, the method may be performed
or implemented by a mobile device.
Second Application--Base Station
In one embodiment, a device may receive signals from a mobile
device. For example, a base station (e.g., a macro base station or
femtocell base station) may receive the signals from the mobile
device. In one embodiment, the signals may be part of an initial
communication or set up phase for establishing communication
between the base station and the mobile device, although the
signals may be received after communication has been set up, e.g.,
for a first card of the mobile device.
In some embodiments, the signals received from the mobile device
may indicate that the mobile device is capable of using, or
otherwise requests to use, two different cards simultaneously,
although other methods of determining are envisioned. Thus, the
method may determine that the mobile device is capable of using a
first card and a second card simultaneously. Additionally, or
alternatively, the signals may include information pertaining to
the mobile device, the first card of the mobile device, the second
card of the mobile device, etc. For example, the information may
indicate the phone number(s) associated with the first card and/or
the second card.
A plurality of first communication parameters may be determined for
the first card. In some embodiments, the first communication
parameters may be determined based on an international mobile
subscriber identity (IMSI) of the first card. For example, the IMSI
may be determined or derived based on a phone number associated
with the first card.
A plurality of communication parameters may be determined for the
second card based on the first communication parameters. However,
the communication parameters for the second card may not be based
on an IMSI associated with the second card. Instead, the
communication parameters for the second card may be determined or
selected in such a manner to ensure that the first and second cards
can be used simultaneously, e.g., while conserving as much power as
possible and/or ensuring as few collisions between using the first
and second card as possible. Thus, in one embodiment, the
determination of the parameters of the second card may not be based
on a phone number associated with the second card (and/or any other
information pertaining to the second card, which may have been
received). Alternatively, an IMSI may be selected for the second
card (e.g., which is not based on the phone number associated with
the second card) which will result in communication parameters that
are compatible with the communication parameters of the first
card.
In further embodiments, an actual IMSI associated with the second
card may be used, e.g., in part, to determine the communication
parameters for the second card. However, if some of the
communication parameters conflict with the parameters for the first
card, they may be modified, e.g., by the base station, and/or a new
IMSI may be used for the second card (e.g., instead of the one
based on the phone number of the second card). The determined
communication parameters for the first and second cards may allow
the first card and the second card to be used simultaneously by a
single transmitter/receiver of the mobile device.
For example, the determined parameters of the first card may
include a first paging slot and a first paging channel.
Correspondingly, the paging slot and the paging channel of the
communication parameters of the second card may be assigned to the
first paging slot and the first paging channel.
The first communication parameters may be provided to the mobile
device. As indicated above, the communication parameters may be
usable by the mobile device to communicate using the first card and
the second card simultaneously.
The method described above may be extended to one or more
additional cards (i.e., in addition to the first and second cards
described above). Thus, the method may further include determining
communication parameters for one or more additional cards. The
parameters may be determined in order to ensure that all or at
least a portion of the cards may be used simultaneously together,
as desired. Correspondingly, these additional communication
parameters may be provided to the mobile device.
The above described method may be implemented as a program, e.g.,
as program instructions stored on a memory medium. The program
instructions may be executable to perform the method described
above. Furthermore, the method may be implemented by a system,
e.g., a base station, such as a macro cell base station, a
femtocell, etc. Thus, the base station may ensure that a phone
desiring to use more than one card simultaneously is able to do so
effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained
when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment
is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is an exemplary communication system including an access
point base station according to one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining if two
cards can be used simultaneously in a mobile device, according to
one embodiment;
FIGS. 3-11 are exemplary diagrams corresponding to the method of
FIG. 2, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining
communication parameters for two cards in a mobile device,
according to one embodiment; and
FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram corresponding to the method of FIG.
12, according to one embodiment.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of
example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It
should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed
description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the
particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Terms
The following is a glossary of terms used in the present
application:
Memory Medium--Any of various types of memory devices or storage
devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include an
installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks 104, or tape
device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as
DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; or a non-volatile
memory such as a magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, or optical
storage. The memory medium may comprise other types of memory as
well, or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may
be located in a first computer in which the programs are executed,
or may be located in a second different computer which connects to
the first computer over a network, such as the Internet. In the
latter instance, the second computer may provide program
instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory
medium" may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in
different locations, e.g., in different computers that are
connected over a network.
Programmable Hardware Element--includes various hardware devices
comprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via a
programmable interconnect. Examples include FPGAs (Field
Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs
(Field Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The
programmable function blocks may range from fine grained
(combinatorial logic or look up tables) to coarse grained
(arithmetic logic units or processor cores). A programmable
hardware element may also be referred to as "reconfigurable
logic".
Program--the term "program" is intended to have the full breadth of
its ordinary meaning. The term "program" includes 1) a software
program which may be stored in a memory and is executable by a
processor or 2) a hardware configuration program useable for
configuring a programmable hardware element.
Software Program--the term "software program" is intended to have
the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and includes any type of
program instructions, code, script and/or data, or combinations
thereof, that may be stored in a memory medium and executed by a
processor. Exemplary software programs include programs written in
text-based programming languages, such as C, C++, Pascal, Fortran,
Cobol, Java, assembly language, etc.; graphical programs (programs
written in graphical programming languages); assembly language
programs; programs that have been compiled to machine language;
scripts; and other types of executable software. A software program
may comprise two or more software programs that interoperate in
some manner.
Hardware Configuration Program--a program, e.g., a netlist or bit
file, that can be used to program or configure a programmable
hardware element.
Computer System--any of various types of computing or processing
systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe
computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet
appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), television system,
grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices.
In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to
encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least
one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.
FIG. 1--Exemplary Communications System
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system including a
macro base station 100 which provides service in macro area 105, a
plurality of access point base stations 170 which provide service
in local areas 175, and a plurality of mobile devices 150 (also
referred to as "mobile stations" or "access terminals").
The term "access point base station" is intended to include typical
definitions (as known by those of skill in the art) of femtocells,
home base stations, personal access points (PAPs), and personal
2G-3G (or nG) base stations, among others. Similarly, the term
"macro base station" is intended to include typical definitions (as
known by those skilled in the art) of cell phone towers and base
stations which provide service in a macro area. The term "base
station" is intended to include both access point base stations and
macro base stations among other types of base stations, as
desired.
The mobile devices (also referred to as "access terminals") 150 may
include any type of device which may be used in a cellular network,
e.g., for RF communication. The mobile devices may include cellular
(or cell) phones (including smart phones), personal digital
assistants (PDAs) with mobile communication capabilities, laptops
or computer systems with mobile communication components, and/or
any device that is operable to communicate with a cellular network.
The mobile devices may use various different protocols, e.g.,
CDMA2000 (1xRTT and EV-DO), UMB, UMTS, LTE, WiMAX, or others).
Correspondingly, the base stations 100 and mobile devices 150 may
support any or at least a subset of the protocols used by the
mobile devices, e.g., without modification to the standards or
protocols for supporting existing mobile devices. The mobile
devices 150 may be configured to support simultaneous use of
multiple cards, as described in more detail below.
FIG. 2--Determining Compatibility of Multiple Cards in a Mobile
Device
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for determining
compatibility of simultaneous use of multiple cards in a mobile
device. The method shown in FIG. 2 may be used in conjunction with
any of the computer systems or devices shown in the above Figures,
among other devices. In various embodiments, some of the method
elements shown may be performed concurrently, or in a different
order than shown, or omitted. Additional method elements may also
be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as
follows.
In 202, characteristics of a first card of a mobile device may be
determined. For example, a phone number of the mobile device may be
determined, e.g., from the first card of the mobile device. In some
embodiments, an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) may
be determined for the first card of the mobile device. In various
embodiments, the IMSI may be derived from the phone number (e.g.,
in the United States) associated with the first card of the mobile
device, or according to different methods (e.g., associations
stored in a database, which may be accessible over a network, such
as in China), as desired. In general, IMSIs may be used to
determine various communication parameters for performing
communication by the mobile device, as described below
In 204, similar to descriptions above in 202, characteristics of a
second card of the mobile device may be determined. For example, an
IMSI may be determined for the second card of the mobile device,
e.g., by determining the phone number associated with the second
card of the mobile device and deriving the IMSI from the phone
number. The IMSI derived or otherwise determined from the second
card may then be used to determine communication parameters
associated with the second card, as described below, although other
methods for determining communication parameters are envisioned.
Alternatively, or additionally, the characteristics of the second
card may be determined based on the characteristics of the first
card. For example, some of the communication parameters determined
from the first card may apply to the communication parameters of
the second card.
In 206, the method may determine whether the first card and the
second card are simultaneously usable by common hardware of the
mobile device. For example, it may be determined if the first and
second card can be used simultaneously by a single
transmitter/receiver and/or baseband logic of the mobile
device.
As used herein "simultaneously usable" (when used with respect to
cards of the mobile device) refers to the mobile device providing
first communication service to the user of the mobile device using
the first card and also providing second communication service to
the user of the mobile device using one or more additional cards,
wherein the first communication service and the second
communication service appear to the user as occurring at the same
time. It should be noted that the mobile device hardware may
actually be performing time multiplexing of use of the hardware of
the mobile device. For example, the same hardware (e.g.,
transmitter/receiver) of the mobile device may be used for
communication using the first card in a first time slot and again
for communication using the second card in a second time slot, and
this operation is considered "simultaneously usable" as used
herein. Thus, while the first and second cards may not be used at
the exact same instant (due to time slotting), the user may
experience simultaneous use of the first and second cards, e.g., by
using time multiplexing as described above, (although in other
embodiments, the hardware may be used by both of the cards during
the same time slot, as described herein). Thus, to the user, where
two cards are "simultaneously usable", both cards can be used by
the same hardware to perform two separate communications at the
same time. Additionally, note that the "same hardware" referred to
above is more specific than simply using the same mobile device.
More specifically, the same hardware refers to hardware used for
communication by the mobile device, such as baseband circuitry, the
transmitter/receiver, etc. Thus, the mobile device may not require
two separate communication circuits (e.g., two separate mobile
baseband circuits, transmitter/receivers, etc.) to use the two
cards simultaneously, but instead may use common communication
hardware.
In 206, the method may include determining the one or more
communication parameters associated with the first card and
determining the one or more communication parameters associated
with the second card. For example, an IMSI may be used to determine
parameters such as the channel number (e.g., CDMA channel number),
paging channel number, quick paging channel number, paging slot
number, paging indicator positions, various time slots, etc. These
parameters may determine how and when the mobile device
communicates with a base station (e.g., a macro base station) when
using the first card or account associated with the first card.
Similarly, the parameters determined based on the second card
(e.g., the IMSI associated with the second card) may be used to
determine how and when the mobile device communications with the
base station when using the second card or account associated with
the second card. However, some of the parameters determined for the
first card or first IMSI may apply to parameters determined for the
second card or second IMSI. Other characteristics or communication
parameters may be determined in 206 or at a later point, e.g., from
a base station, such as the system time, pilot PN offset, long code
state, etc.
Note that the communication parameters may be the same
communication parameters that may be used in future communication
sessions. For example, the determination of the communication
parameters may be performed in the same manner (e.g., which may be
a deterministic manner) that will be used when communicating with a
base station. In one embodiment, the determination of the
communication parameters may actually involve establishing a
connection with a base station and receiving assigned communication
parameters. Alternatively, the mobile device may be configured to
determine the communication parameters without having to
communicate with the base station, or any combination of the mobile
device and the base station determining the communication
parameters.
In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize hardware or
software stored on the mobile device to determine a portion or all
of the parameters, e.g., based on an algorithm stored or
implemented in the mobile device. It should be noted that some of
the communication parameters may always be assigned in the same
manner, and thus may always be assigned the same for each
communication session. Thus, the determining of these communication
parameters may be completely deterministic. However, some of the
parameters may be assigned differently or may be based on exterior
factors (e.g., such as other mobile devices using a base station),
and thus, the determining of these parameters may not be absolute.
For example, the channel number may be modified during future
communication sessions with a base station (e.g., via overhead
messages).
Once the communication parameters are determined for the first card
and the second card, the method may determine whether these
parameters are compatible or conflict with each other. For example,
some parameters may not be compatible with each other and may
result in the communication of the two cards always (or having a
high or otherwise unacceptable probability of) conflicting with
each other when used simultaneously. The determination of whether
the sets of communication parameters are compatible may be based on
minimization of power consumption with an acceptable probability of
packet collisions. For example, since, as indicated above, some of
the parameters may vary during assignment or initial set up of
communication between the mobile device and the base station (such
as channel numbers), there may be a nonzero probability of
collisions, but the configuration may minimize power consumption.
More specifically, the communication parameters may be acceptable
for power minimization by selecting sets of parameters which have
the same channel and paging slot, e.g., which use the same time
slot.
Alternatively, power consumption may be sacrificed in order to
guarantee minimization of collision rates. For example,
communication parameters may be determined to be compatible when
the paging slots are at least a threshold amount of time apart.
More specifically, in one embodiment, a first time slot may be
determined based on the IMSI of the first card and a second time
slot may be determined based on the IMSI of the second card. The
method may then determine if the first time slot and the second
time slot are within a threshold amount of time to determine if the
two sets of communication parameters (and thus, the two cards) are
compatible. Thus, the power consumption may be much higher than the
alternative described above, but may guarantee a low probability of
collisions or zero collision rate. Thus, the acceptability of
communication parameters may be based on collision rate
minimization or power consumption minimization (allowing for
acceptable numbers of collisions, so as to ensure functionality,
however), as desired.
As further examples, the method may determine if the paging slot
determined from the first card and the paging slot determined from
the second card are the same or adjacent. The method may also
determine if the channel number of the first card and the channel
number of the second card are different. If both these conditions
are met, there may be an unacceptable probability that these two
cards (and more specifically, the derived parameters based on the
two cards) will conflict when used simultaneously. Similarly, if
the communication parameters have the same or adjacent paging slot
with different paging channel numbers or different quick paging
channel numbers, collisions may occur during simultaneous use. Note
that these two scenarios are exemplary only, and the method may
utilize any number of specific cases and/or determinations to
determine if the two sets of parameters result in conflicts during
simultaneous use.
In 208, an indication may be provided which indicates whether the
first card and the second card are simultaneously usable by the
mobile device. For example, the indication may be provided on a
display of the mobile device. Alternatively, the indication could
be provided by a computer system, e.g., which includes a card
reader to determine compatibilities of cards in single mobile
devices for simultaneous usage. Other possibilities of the
indication are envisioned. Thus, the above described method may be
used in various situations to determine if two different cards or
phone numbers are simultaneously usable. For example, the method
may be performed when purchasing or selecting a secondary phone
number or second card, at a time of purchase of the mobile device,
during a configuration of the mobile device, etc.
In 210, the mobile device may be operated. According to various
embodiments, the mobile device may operate in a single card mode,
e.g., where the first card or second card is only used, e.g., as
would be the case for typical single card mobile devices, or in a
simultaneous or dual mode, where both cards are capable of being
used simultaneously. Thus, in this mode, the mobile device may
simultaneously use both the first card and the second card, e.g.,
by time multiplexing use of the first card and use of the second
card using the common hardware of the mobile device (e.g., the
single transmitter/receiver).
Note that while the above method is described with respect to two
cards, it may be extended to more than two cards. For example, the
same method may be applied to determine if three or more cards can
be used simultaneously. Thus, the method may further include
determining if the first and second cards are compatible with one
or more additional cards and then providing an indication of that
determination, as desired.
Additionally, the above method may apply to any of various
communication protocols. For example, the method may be used for
mobile devices which support CDMA or EVDO. In some embodiments, the
mobile device may support a first protocol for a first card and a
second protocol for a second card, as desired. Thus, the above
method may apply to any of various protocols, whether used
homogenously or heterogeneously, as desired.
FIGS. 3-11--Further Embodiments
The following descriptions (and FIGS. 3-11) provide various
embodiments of the method described in FIG. 2. Note that these
embodiments are exemplary only and variations of configurations and
processes are envisioned.
As indicated above, when involving the two/more IMSI numbers in the
same device (base band), one phone number (IMSI) of the first card
may be defined as the primary number and the second phone number
(IMSI number) of the second card may be defined as the secondary
number. When involving more than two IMSI numbers in the same
device (base band), one phone number (IMSI) may be defined as the
primary number, the second phone number (IMSI number) may be
defined as the secondary number, and the third number and fourth
number, and so on. The primary number may always be fixed (e.g., to
default or normal values) with no need to change. The method may
estimate the resource distribution differences between the primary
IMSI and the secondary IMSI (or more IMSI). In one embodiment, the
differences may be compared to the predetermined thresholds to
determine whether or not the second number (or more phone numbers)
is compatible to the primary number. If the result is within the
threshold range, the secondary or more IMSIs can be accepted;
otherwise, the pairing or secondary phone numbers may be
rejected.
Pre-Detection of the Compatibility of Multiple UIM Cards
Pre-detection of the compatibility of a second or more numbers to
the primary phone number may be implemented as part of UI, PC, Web,
etc. Accordingly, instead of going through the full steps of system
acquisition procedure on the selected number, the mobile station
can use UI interface or other components to wake up a small portion
of the chip or mobile station for calculation (e.g., converting the
phone number to UIM number and a hash function may be used to
calculate the rest parameters). The results can lead to two
results: 1) The selected phone number(s) may be accepted and may go
to multiple UIM cards acquisition stage, or 2) The selected phone
number(s) may be rejected.
Multiple UIM Cards Initial Acquisition Procedure
To acquire a CDMA system, a mobile station may go through the
following states: CMDA system selection state, Pilot channel
Acquisition state, Sync channel Acquisition state, System timing
changing state and finally, into Mobile Station Idle state. The
mobile station may synchronize its long code timing and system
timing to those of the CDMA system, using the pliot_PN, LC_STATE,
and SYS_TIME values obtained from the received Sync Channel Message
(e.g., from the base station).
For the dual UIM cards operation, the primary UIM user may acquire
the CDMA network first and obtain CDMA system time, pilot PN
offset, and Long Code state. The information obtained from
acquiring the primary UIM can directly apply to the secondary UIM
initial acquisition without going through the actual initial
acquisition procedurals. This is based on the assumption is that
the two UIM cards are located at the exact same location, and they
should camp to the same strongest base station at the initial
acquisition stage.
By entering the idle state, multiple UIM cards may perform
registration procedure immediately to inform the base station of
their locations, status, identifications, slot cycles and other
characteristics so that the base station can efficiently page the
mobile station. The registration may be performed first for the
primary UIM card and then for the secondary UIM card.
Multiple UIM Mobile Station Operation
The mobile operation can have three system acquisitions: primary
only, secondary only, and dual mode. As shown in FIG. 3, after
power up:
If System Acquisition Preference is Primary only, the mobile may
transit to Primary IS-2000 1x operation only.
If System Acquisition Preference is Secondary only, the mobile may
transit to Secondary IS-2000 1x operation only.
If System Acquisition Preference is dual UIM, the Mobile may
transit to dual Primary/Secondary IS-2000 1x operation and may
operate according to the methods described herein.
In various embodiments, the user may be able to select among the
different modes; for example, using only the primary card, only the
second card, or a plurality of the cards (in the case that the two
cards compatible, e.g., using the methods described above). Where
the two or more cards are incompatible, the user may be able to
select which card may be used, e.g., exclusively.
The dual UIM state diagram is given in FIG. 4. As shown, after
"power up", if the system acquisition preference is dual UIM, the
states may transition to "secondary init" or "primary init". From
"secondary init", secondary acquisition may occur to transition to
the state "primary & secondary idle". Similarly, from "primary
init" upon primary acquisition, the state may be "primary idle
& secondary init" which may also transition to "primary &
secondary idle" after secondary acquisition. From "primary &
secondary idle" the states "secondary access" and "primary access"
are available. From these states, "secondary active" and "primary
active" are available. Various conditions account for operations
that result in state transitions during dual UIM operation.
The Collision Decision Mechanism
Collision decisions for the simultaneous use UIM cards in the same
device can be characterized into two groups: minimizing power
consumption while allow some percentage of collisions, and
sacrificing power consumption while guaranteeing collision
rate.
Minimizing Power Consumption while Allow Some Percentage of
Collisions
Assumption is that the mobile user can have plenty of choices for
choosing a right UIM card (e.g., a hash function is used to
calculate the parameters), which have the same PG slot as the
primary number with the same CDMA Channel and Paging slot. In this
case, at each slot cycle, the mobile may need to wake up only once
to receive two or multiple UIM cards information without additional
power consumption for updating the second card information.
However, during the monitoring stage, the base station can change
the CDMA Channel number through overhead messages. Therefore, the
same CDMA number cannot always be guaranteed. Collision might
happen when the CDMA channel number changes to a different number
other than the original number coming from hash calculation.
Sacrifice Power Consumption while Guaranteeing Collision Rate
Since the mobile station has no ability to change any assigned
resource with a given IMSI, a simple method is to reject cards
whose IMSI is not compatible (and/or who is possibly not
compatible) with the primary IMSI number and choose other UIM cards
that are compatible to the primary number. This method can result
in more power consumption compared to the first method, as the
mobile station (e.g., the baseband of the mobile station) may need
to stay on for a longer time to update the two or more UIM card's
information. However, since the two or more cards are apart for
delta time from the primary paging slot, this gives each mobile
relatively enough decoding time to decode paging/overhead
separately. Thus, the resource-sharing problem may no longer be an
issue. Theoretically speaking, given the two cards with a paging
slot 240 ms (three paging slots 3*80 ms) apart in a slot cycle
index 2 (slot cycle 2.56 s is the mostly used slot cycle in real
CDMA systems), 94% time, there is no resource-overlapping problem.
In other words, the rejection probability in the worst case is
around 6%, which may be acceptable. The simulation result shows the
collision probability is 0.6% with simulation condition of sweeping
10000 phone numbers with random channel numbers (between 1-10) and
paging numbers (1-3) and collision happens 55 times. The decision
mechanism is shown in FIG. 5.
As shown, in 502, the secondary MSI number (10 digits) may be
received.
In 504, the CDMA channel number, the paging channel number, the
QPCH (quick paging channel) number, the paging slot number, and the
paging indicator position may be determined.
In 506, the paging slot number from the secondary IMSI may be
compared with the primary paging slot number (from the primary
IMSI).
If the difference is less than or equal to a threshold, in 508,
then the secondary CDMA channel number may be compared with the
primary CDMA channel number. If the difference is greater than the
threshold, the secondary IMSI/number may be accepted by the device
in 520.
From 510, if there is no difference in 512, the number is not
accepted by the device and another number may need to be chosen in
518.
However, if there is a difference, the paging channel number and
quick paging channel number may be compared with the primary paging
channel number and quick paging number. If there is no difference,
then the number may not be accepted in 518.
If there is a difference in 512 or 516, the number may be accepted
in 520.
Collision Zone
As described above, in order to demodulate at least 1 data frame
which indicates that the mobile may go to sleep, the mobile station
may need to go through three stages: the re-synchronization stage,
monitoring stage, and teardown stage. During the three stages
operation plus some cushion time, a mobile station cannot hybrid to
any CDMA Channel/Paging Channel number other than its current CDMA
Channel/Paging Channel number, otherwise there may be a collision.
A collision zone may include the delta slots before the primary
paging slot and the delta slots after the primary paging slot, as
shown in FIG. 6.
As also indicated above, a hash function may be used to calculate
the required parameters which correspond to an IMSI number. Within
a collision zone, only two IMSIs with the same CDMA Channel/Paging
Channel numbers can be accepted. However, outside of the collision
zone, there is no limitation for CDMA Channel number/Paging Channel
number. All the resources can be distributed as determined by the
hash function since the mobile station may have relatively enough
time (depending on the distance between the two IMSI cards, the
farther the better) to switch antennas for different frequencies or
be able to handle different Wash codes. The distance between the
primary paging slot and the secondary paging slot is the main
factor of collision confidence level. The distance to the collision
zones are defined to fit different requirements. FIG. 6 illustrates
exemplary collision zones and acceptable time slots over time.
Compatibility may be determined or defined into difference
preference levels. One example of such classification is as
follows:
1) The most preferred phone number: The selected phone number's
paging slot is located at the slot in which the distance to/from
the collision zone satisfies the condition: has the largest time
space between the two/more collision zones (e.g.,
delta=<(1.28*2^i/2-1, 1.28*2^i/2, 1.28*2^i/2-1, i is slot cycle
index, given by the base station)>.
2) Preferred phone number: The selected phone number's paging slot
is located at the slot in which the distance to/from the collision
zone satisfies the condition: has the second largest time space
between the two/more collision zones.
3) Acceptable phone number: The selected phone number's paging slot
is located at the slot in which the distance to/from the collision
zone satisfies the condition: It is outside of the collision zone,
but has the smallest time space between two collision zones.
4) Unacceptable phone number: The selected phone number is located
at the collision zone.
Threshold Determination
As discussed in the previous section, depending on the design focus
point of collision rate versus power consumption, the threshold can
be characterized into two groups as well.
Minimizing Power Consumption
The idea of minimizing power consumption is for the two UIM cards
to have the same PGSLOT number. To achieve this, the mobile station
can sweep all the possible secondary numbers and find numbers that
have the same CDMA Channel/Paging Channel as the primary number.
The threshold may be set up to measure the candidate UIM cards
PGSLOT distance with the primary PGSLOT number and choose the one
that has the smallest delta (the same slot or adjacent slot).
Minimizing Collision Rate
As mentioned above, in the CMDA system, the resources may be
pre-determined by the given UIM card. Thus, when a collision
occurs, it will always occur in future communications and there are
no recovery strategies. Therefore, minimizing the collision rate
may be a main design goal for the mobile station. To achieve this,
the mobile station can sweep all the possible secondary numbers and
find numbers that have the same or adjacent PGSLOT number as the
primary number. The threshold is set up to measure the candidate
UIM cards PGSLOT distance with the primary PGSLOT number and
eliminate the numbers within the threshold collision zone, which
have the different CDMS Channel or Paging Channels.
Dual UIM Cards Slotted Operation
Assume that mobile acquires both primary and secondary systems. The
procedures for monitoring primary paging channel slot and secondary
control channel may be determined by the state of the dual mode (as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4): primary only, secondary only, and dual UIM
mode. In the dual UIM mode, the mobile may camp on the primary
channel and tune to monitor secondary control channels at
predetermined time slots. Thus, in the dual UIM mode, the mobile
may need to receive both UIM pagings.
FIG. 7 shows the example of dual UIMs data flow and interactions.
As shown, FIG. 7 illustrates a dual UIM mode with general data and
control flow between the primary unit and the secondary unit. The
resource allocation is distributed among CP MON, MPA, DSPM and 1X
Protocol.
CP MON--responsible for determining whether or not the request unit
should go to deep sleep. Both primary UIM and secondary UIM systems
should send the next resync time along with a deep sleep request to
the CP MON. Since CP MON has knowledge of the required wake times
for both systems, the time difference between the current time and
the desired wake time can be calculated. If the difference is
greater then the pre fixed delta (CBP4/6 is 5 ms), CP MON idle test
may grant the deep sleep request and shut down all HW and clocks.
Otherwise, the chip may stay awake.
MAP--at each wake up occurrence, MAP may be a center unit for
handling the resource request from either the primary UIM or
Secondary UIM and may determine whether to grant or reject a
request according to its priorities. In the dual UIM mode
operation, if one of the systems is in an active or traffic state,
it may always reject resource requests from another as the system
can only support one UIM at time and works on a first come, the
first serve basis. When a system releases the resource, it should
always inform the MAP so that MAP can maintain the most up to date
usage information.
DSPM--responsible for delivering the resources requested by MAP
from both UIM systems.
1X_PS--responsible for handling all 1x related messages and
resource requests.
Dual UIM Resynchronization Determination
Since dual UIM allows sharing of common (same) hardware, the short
code and long code generators may be shared between the two UIM
systems. Therefore, it may be necessary to keep track of the two
UIMs' system time independently. Moreover, each UIM system's resync
parameters calculation may be in reference to its own system
time
Long Code Hopping
In 1X systems, the slot cycles are in durations of 1.28 s2.sup.i
(i=0, 1, 2, . . . , 7) with a maximum duration of 163 s. The
duration of the long code generator is much longer than the
duration of the sleep period (2.sup.42/1.2288 MHz=41.425 days).
Since the code generator may be powered down while the mobile
station is powered down, it may be necessary to calculate the new
state prior to sleep. An efficient way to calculate the long code
state is to use a long code generator state prior to sleep to
calculate the new state after sleep.
Resync Event
The "Resync" event in the HW may include setting most system time
states to a programmed value. The main system time counter (80
ms@9.8304 MHz) and the short code generator as well as long code
state may need to be set to some programmed values that correspond
to the time at which the Resync occurs.
Prior to going to sleep, CP may calculate the initial state of the
PNI, PNQ and system counter at the pre-determined resync time. At
resync time, the hybrid sleep control logic may generate a hardware
resync interrupt to the system time unit. The resync interrupt may
cause a load pulse to the system time unit that may set the counter
and PN generators. It may also trigger the RESYNC_INT interrupt to
CP.
Dual UIM Slotted Mode Without Contention
In some embodiments, there may be no overlapping wake time between
the two systems. The resources may be guaranteed for the both
systems when awakened from sleep or upon a request. However, when
the delta time between the two wake ups are very close, it may be
desirable to let the chip stay awake until the next wake up. By
doing this, the amount of time to wake up the ASIC can be saved. In
this design, the CPMON may be responsible to grant a deep sleep
request. The CPMON may compute the delta time to the next
programmed wake up time (can be either Primary UIM or Secondary
UIM) when receiving a deep sleep request. If it is greater than the
threshold (CPB4.0/6.0 uses 5 ms), the deep sleep request may be
granted; otherwise, the chip may stay awake until the next wake up
time.
FIG. 8 shows the example of the dual UIM fully slotted time
line.
Dual UIM Slotted Mode with Contention
The partial slotted mode may occur when the mobile station is in
the dual UIM mode and is active in the network while checking
slotted paging for the dual mode UIM card. This may result in a
contention between the two systems. In the dual UIM card design, a
UIM card which is in the active stage (monitoring) may have higher
priority over a UIM system which is in the idle state and waiting
for its turn. Therefore, while monitoring a UIM system, another UIM
system's wake up request may not be granted. Instead, the SSM
module may calculate the UIM's next wake up resync time and may
program the resync time into the system time unit and/or the dual
mode control unit and then put the UIM system in a sleep state
until the resources are released. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of
dual UIM resource contention slotted time line.
When SSM (Sleep control logic) requests a deep sleep, it may send
the predetermined resync time along with the deep sleep request to
CP MON so that CP MON can use the timing reference to decide
whether or not to grant the request, which may be useful for a
hybrid deep sleep request. DSP may be used as the center unit to
convey the information between CP and HW. FIG. 10 shows the slotted
paging ladder diagram with event of contention between the two
systems.
CDMA Slotted Paging Power Up Time Line
Slotted paging operation may require the mobile station to be
awakened at the predetermined paging slot to reacquire the network
and monitor the Control Channel at the beginning of the selected
control channel cycle. The mobile can return to sleep when the
Overhead messages have been updated and a General Page Message is
received with an appropriate done bit (e.g., demodulate at least 1
frame (20 ms) of data). In order to monitor the Paging channel or
the forward Common control Channel at each start of the slot cycle,
the mobile station may need to be powered up earlier than the
required slot to perform some necessary housekeeping processes so
that at the required time slot, all the information can be lined up
for correct decoding. FIG. 11 illustrates the CDMA operation at
slotted mode power up requirement and time line. The general wake
up time for CDMA slotted system is around 80 ms.
FIG. 12--Determining Compatibility of Multiple Cards in a Mobile
Device
FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method for determining
compatibility of simultaneous use of multiple cards in a mobile
device. The method shown in FIG. 12 may be used in conjunction with
any of the computer systems or devices shown in the above Figures,
among other devices. In various embodiments, some of the method
elements shown may be performed concurrently, performed in a
different order than shown, or omitted. Additional method elements
may also be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate
as follows.
In 1202, signals may be received from a mobile device, e.g., by a
base station. For example, the mobile device may attempt to
communicate or establish communication with the base station. In
various embodiments, the mobile device may send information
regarding the various communication capabilities of the mobile
device. For example, the signals may indicate that the mobile
device is capable of or otherwise requests using a first card (or
account associated with the first card) and a second card (or
account associated with the second card) simultaneously. Thus, in
1204, the method may determine that the mobile device is capable of
(or otherwise requests) using a first card and a second card
simultaneously. However, the signals in 1202 may provide further
information, such as information regarding the first card and/or
the second card. For example, the signals may indicate phone
numbers and/or IMSIs associated with the first and second card,
although, as described in FIG. 2 above, the IMSIs, in some
embodiments, may be determined based on the phone numbers.
In 1206, a plurality of first communication parameters may be
determined for the first card. Similar to descriptions above, the
communication parameters may be determined via a variety of
methods, e.g., based on the IMSI associated with the first card (or
account of the first card).
In 1208, a plurality of second communication parameters may be
determined for the second card. The plurality of second
communication parameters may be determined based on the first
communication parameters. More specifically, the plurality of
second communication parameters may be determined in order to allow
the first card and the second card to be used simultaneously by
common hardware (e.g., the baseband, transmitter/receiver, etc.) of
the mobile device.
In various embodiments, this may be achieved by deriving
communication parameters based on the IMSI of the second card, and
if necessary, modifying those parameters to make the communication
parameters of the first and second card compatible. Alternatively,
the communication parameters may not be based on the IMSI of (or
other information received concerning) the second card, but may
instead be based on the communication parameters determined for the
first card. Thus, the second communication parameters may be
determined expressly for ensuring that the first and second cards
may be used simultaneously by the mobile device, e.g., based on the
indication that the mobile device desires to use or is capable of
using the first and second cards simultaneously. For example, the
plurality of second parameters may be assigned such that the paging
slot and paging channel for the second card are the same as the
paging slot and paging channel of the first card. As another
example, the IMSI of the first card may be assigned as the IMSI of
the second card. More specifically, the system may map the MDN
(mobile directory number) of the second card to the IMSI of the
first card.
In 1210, the plurality of the first and second communication
parameters may be provided to the mobile device. The plurality of
the first communication parameters may be usable by the mobile
device to communicate using the first card and the plurality of the
second communication parameters may be usable by the mobile device
to communicate using the second card. Because of the determinations
in 1204 and 1206 above, the mobile device may be configured to use
the first and second communication parameters to simultaneously use
the first and second card (or accounts associated therewith).
Similar to embodiments above, the method may apply to more than two
cards in a mobile device. For example, the method may include
determining that the mobile device is capable of using the first
card, the second card, and one or more additional cards
simultaneously, determining associated communication parameters for
the one or more additional cards (such that the plurality of cards
can be used simultaneously), and providing those parameters to the
mobile device. Thus, the method apply to determining any number of
sets of communication parameters such that any number of cards may
be sued simultaneously by a mobile device. However, such methods
could be altered to allow for any subsets of cards to be used
simultaneously--e.g., where first and second cards can be used
simultaneously and third and fourth cards can be used
simultaneously, as desired.
Further Embodiments
The following descriptions provide further embodiments of the
method described in FIG. 12. Note that these embodiments are
exemplary only and variations of configurations and processes are
envisioned.
Implementing processes related to dual/multiple UIM card for a
mobile station in the base station may have more advantages than
implementing in the mobile station. However, such changes may
require changes in the standards used for communication, which may
be undesirable.
The Collision Decision Mechanism--the base station can assign the
secondary number to the same user according to the user's primary
number. Since the base station has the knowledge of frequency/wash
allocation, it can prevent the possible collision by avoiding the
IMSI's which have potential conflicts with the primary number.
Moreover, the base station can choose a particular number that has
the same paging slot as the primary number.
Advantage Over Mobile Station Embodiments--Power Saving
The base station can select a secondary number in such a way that
the primary and secondary numbers happen to have the same paging
slot number with a common CDMA Channel Number and Paging Channel
Number. In this way, the mobile can have the power consumption of a
single user while supporting two UIMs simultaneously.
Scheduling
The mobile station may only need to wake up once to decode paging
or control channel messages that address both of the IMSIs. No
handling of the switch between the two IMSI is needed.
Additional Embodiments
Multiple UIM Cards in Hybrid 1xRTT and 1xEV-DO System
Unlike 1x mode operation where the paging slot number and slot
cycle are pre-fixed and mobile stations have no option to change
it, in the DO system, the preferred control channel cycle is
negotiable as the AN is not aware of the 1x slot cycle in use.
Thus, the AN may have to accept the PCCC (preferred control channel
cycle) proposed by the mobile station. FIG. 13 shows Rev 0, hybrid
control channel preferred cycle determination.
Multiple UIM Card with Primary EVDO Card
Fix the EVDO PCCC with primary UIM card--The average time needed to
decode a good frame is around 80 ms.about.100 ms. In QPCH mode, the
paging indicators may be within 100 ms before the paging channel
frame. Therefore, to avoid collision, the normal paging and QPCH
may be combined together to give some delta time between 1X and
EVDO wake up time, e.g., which may be set to 300 ms. During the 300
ms time zone, any DO scheduled wake up may be considered
overlapping with 1X and may be rescheduled to a new time that will
not conflict with 1X.
In order to compare both system wake up times at the same scale, we
express both systems in terms of 1.667 ms slot durations. The wake
up time for 1X can be expressed as follows:
MS.sub.slot=48.times.mod(PGSLOT,16.times.2.sup.i)+48.times.k.times.16.tim-
es.2.sup.i
Where k is the number of the 16.times.2i slot cycles since the
beginning of the system time.
In QPCH mode, the collision may be considered with the first
indicator position as this is quite complicated when considering
the possibilities of wake up on second paging indicator.
Additionally there is not enough time between the two indicators to
decode control channel capsule.
MS.sub.slot=48.times.mod(PGSLOT,16.times.2.sup.i)+48.times.k.times.16.tim-
es.2.sup.i////////
The wake up time for DO can be expressed as follows:
AT.sub.slot=256.times.mod(R,12)+256.times.j.times.12+offset
Selecting the Secondary UIM Card which is not Overlapping with
Primary UIM
The same method that is used to select secondary UIM can be applied
to EVDO/Primary/Secondary UIM selection. The difference is that the
selected UIM has to satisfy the sufficient space from both 1x
primary UIM and EVDO system.
Multiple EVDO Cards with Primary UIM Card
After determining the primary EVDO PCCC which is compatible with
the selected 1x Primary UIM card, using methods such as those
described above, the mobile station can calculate the most
preferred secondary EVDO PCCC number which should not overlap with
either Primary EVDO or Primary 1x UIM. The selected Secondary PCCC
can be assigned to the user by negotiating the preference with the
AN at session set up stage.
Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable
detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent
to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully
appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be
interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.
* * * * *